Cruise ships are familiar territory for a lot of holidaymakers, but have you ever considered what it would be like to live aboard one?
Well, one American woman took to TikTok to describe her experience of life on deck, and some of the things she had to say about it might surprise you.
Christine Kesteloo explained that she lives aboard the ship as a ‘wife onboard’, as her husband is the vessel’s Staff Chief Engineer. Therefore, she gets the best of both worlds and can live as not just a crew member, but also as a guest.
Kesteloo has documented her journey onboard on TikTok, where she has amassed nearly 700,000 followers.
In one recent video, she shared the inside deets on what she is and isn’t allowed to do while living onboard.
She explained that she’s not allowed to gamble while on the ship, as “it would look a little weird if I, as the wife of the Staff Chief Engineer, won a big jackpot.”
One of the most important rules, she revealed, is the same for ordinary guests too – the boat will wait for no one! Most cruisers know this one is a biggie, but it even applies to Kesteloo’s husband, who works on the ship. If he’s late to return and ends up missing the ship, someone else will simply take over his job.
She also said that she is ‘not allowed to film guests or crew just whenever’ as it’s ‘disrespectful’. This rule only applies while onboard though, and she says it’s a ‘different story’ when they’re on land.
The final thing she shared wasn’t strictly a rule, but rather a matter of morals.
“If there is a crew member or guest that has gone overboard and we do a search, I am not showing you videos of the medical evacuation,” she said.
Kesteloo shared other details of her unique life, including the fact that she gets food for free, but does have to pay for fizzy drinks and alcohol.
However, she does get a nice fifty percent discount on those purchases. Other benefits include discounts on things such as the spa, internet and in the shops.
